Jaguars are native to South America and leopards to Africa. Both species can occur as spotted or black, although in both cases the spotted variety is much more common. Although the department has received many calls about black panthers, there has never been a documented case of a black cougar anywhere in North America. LDWF receives calls reporting sightings of cougars throughout Louisiana. Many of the calls are found to be cases of mistaken identity, with dog tracks making up the majority of the evidence submitted by those reporting cougar sightings.
Other animals commonly mistaken for cougars are bobcats and house cats, usually seen from a distance or in varying shades of light. Because of the lack of physical evidence, LDWF has concluded Louisiana does not have an established, breeding population of cougars.
In states that have verified small populations of cougars, physical evidence can readily be found in the form of tracks, cached deer kills, scat and road kill. The recent sightings of cougars in Louisiana are likely animals dispersing from existing populations.
Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham puts black panther sightings in his state in the same category as another elusive beast. But the truth is there are no black panthers in Louisiana. No black panther claim has ever been authenticated, he said. In November, a photo of a black leopard was circulating throughout Northwest Louisiana with the claim it came from a local game camera, stirring interest among those who believed it was the evidence needed to prove the existence of black panthers in this state.
Wildlife and Fisheries says the identical photo also was posted on wildlife forums and Facebook in Tennessee on Nov. Other animals commonly mistaken for cougars are bobcats and house cats, usually seen from a distance or in varying shades of light. Because of the lack of physical evidence, LDWF has concluded Louisiana does not have an established, breeding population of cougars. In states that have verified small populations of cougars, physical evidence can readily be found in the form of tracks, cached deer kills, scat and road kill.
The recent sightings of cougars in Louisiana are likely animals dispersing from existing populations. An expanding population in Texas can produce dispersing individual cougars that move into suitable habitat in Louisiana.
Young males are known to disperse from their birthplace and travel hundreds of miles, seeking their own territories. Anyone with any information regarding the killing of a cougar should call LA Operation Game Thief at Callers can remain anonymous and may receive a cash reward. Skip to content. Great Health Divide. Weather Maps. Weather Radio. Severe Weather Resources. Aaron's Aces. Good Morning ArkLaMiss. Guest Recipes. Guest Interview Request Form.
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